The two men’s deaths are classified as murder, according to the report, and police continue to investigate the double homicide that took place inside Harmon’s apartment. It is possible the two men shot each other.
Harmon was able to get outside and find someone to call 9-1-1 before he collapsed in the parking lot, said Sgt. Jeffrey Flores, head of the crimes against persons unit of the Springfield police.
Officers received that call around 1:30 a.m. and responded to the complex on East John Street, he said. Thursday afternoon neighbors in the complex were still cleaning up blood from their doors. Harmon apparently went knocking door-to-door near his apartment, seeking help after he was shot, neighbors said.
Responding officers found Harmon on the grass near the parking lot of the complex. He had suffered multiple gunshot wounds and told police he could not breathe, police said.
Neighbors in the complex said it is rare to hear of such violence where they live. Those who knew Harmon said he was a loving man, energetic and respectful, but that recently they suspected he was involved in possible drug activity, some said.
Smith was found inside of Harmon’s apartment with at least one gunshot wound, according to the police report.
Police have not released any information about the events leading up to the shooting.
Both men were taken to Springfield Regional Medical Center, where they were pronounced dead, Flores said.
The men did know each other, Flores said, but details into their relationship were not disclosed. Police have not said if they recovered any weapons from the scene.
Detectives said they are working to piece together the events that led up to the shooting and are asking for anyone who might have information to contact them.
“We’re hoping people will come forward,” Flores said. “We need to trace their steps back last night, who they were with.”
The shooting and the resulting deaths represent the third and fourth homicide investigations in Springfield since Easter.
Springfield’s Jeff Wellington, 17, was shot early in the morning of April 20. Another Springfield teen, Tyrin Hawkins, 17, is facing murder charges in that case.
George Walker Jr., 20, was shot and killed May 30. Police are still investigating who was behind the trigger in Walker Jr.’s death. Police have been asking eyewitnesses or anyone with information about the morning Walker Jr. was shot to come forward and aid in the investigation.
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